I wasn't there but the HSBC arena seemed the loudest it's been all year.. Hope it stays that way.. So much energy..

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Miller, Myers and Greir are sick, but not Jesus Christ..

KILL OTTAWA

That was such a great game. They finally played with some real passion tonight and I really hope they can keep playing like that and it wasn't just a fluke

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Check out Fast Super Cars, Car Tuning, and WNY Sports

Twitter - @Ryan911T - @MotoExposure

We looked really really fast.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

I do.

Sorry. I'm with Slesh on this one. They're both over paid

Were they good tonight? I dunno.. I'm still in the middle of the 2nd dvr'd period.
A win tonight, after the horrid performances last weekend does not maketh a playoff team.
Not trying to be a "Debbie Downer" as you put it PSP, just realistic. A good game? Yes. One of many. Again, last weekend was horrid. One win doesn't make us the schizznit.

Schony, you're not following the Sabres fan format. When they win, they're the best. When they lose, the world is going to end. So right now, the Sabres are the best team in the league, perhaps in the history of hockey. Maybe even in any sport... ever.

Ham

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Do you believe yet?

Hell Yeah!! Sabres all the way this year!!

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Miller, Myers and Greir are sick, but not Jesus Christ..

KILL OTTAWA

I've never complained about our losses... just for the record!

I believe in this team. I made it very clear before the season started with my predictions and my upcoming season thread.

Last year, we lost this game. We looked like kids against men. Last year, Detroit spanked us at home and really shattered our hopes of making the playoffs. This year, they beat down Detroit early on and make a statement.

The tools are there. We're not even on the top of our game yet. Things are going to get better; not worse.

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Wheelhouse

I think them champs of ours are also on a 4 game losing streak?

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the problem with crack is that the rush only lasts a short time...
That being said, that was a great metaphor since he probably won't keep this intensity up

TANKS SCHONY!!!
I dedicate 2 socks to you tonight
Having the courage to stand up and speak your opinion (and like myself, I can see you base yours soley on the facts of the matter) is something I admire and honor. I respect those who do not have the same point of view, but the facts are the facts.

People need to look at the individual player stats on this team in comparison with other rosters in the league. Do not be fooled by the great start this team has had, enjoy it, but do not be lulled into a false sense of security I say. The issue is still very much in doubt.

This team needs help on the offensive side, Miller is a fantastic goalie, but its our defense that has come a long way to help him out. I'll even go so far as to say Darcy has addressed the Defensive issue. However, with that being said, there is still work to do on this team. By all means, enjoy the moment, every victory I do, but at that same moment I am constantly evaluating the team as a whole and the players and like any other avid fan I formulate my opinion and identify where the team can get better and what potential talent can be swapped to make it better.

For the record, I have already stated, I like Pommers and Stafford, but the fact remains this team needs a RWer to go with the Vanek - Connolly/Roy line. Also, this team could use a center that will get infront of the net. Teach Connolly and Roy to do it or go get a fast skating, big center that will.
This is where I see the final 2 pieces missing, and bare in mind, it is an opinion, but I base it on performance as to what we have right now. THIS TEAM CAN AND MUST GET BETTER.

I deem Pomminville, Hecht, Tallinder, Lydman, Sejkera, Paestch, Connolly and Mair all tradable assets that could be utilized to strengthen the team through trades. Which ever combination of players, prospects and picks is used is fine with me, but this team needs stable, "consistent" contributions on scoring from line 1 or 2, preferably both.

Random Thoughts,
From an abused sock

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

You'd trade our #1 point producer and our best center?

REALLY?

Center is the most important position on the ice, outside of the goaltender. There is no way in hell that I'd dish away any one of our centers.

Pominville, while he MAY be tradable, would have to yield a big return, and be packaged with a defenseman or a draft pick.

Personally, I think people are crazy to think Pominville is any part of this team's problems right now.

You're all complaining about not scoring enough. About not having a winger that can get the job done.

We have our big scoring winger. He was signed for 7 million per year! 7 MILLION!

You can't argue that he's tied for the lead in goals on the team. There's no way he should be tied with Stafford and MacArthur. They aren't getting paid what he is. But all of that is beside the point.

The point is, we know what Vanek is capable of. And he needs to be better. Period. End of story.

If Vanek starts consistently producing, like he should for 7 million per, then our scoring problems are solved.

End... of... story.

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Wheelhouse

[/quote]You'd trade our #1 point producer and our best center?

REALLY?

Center is the most important position on the ice, outside of the goaltender. There is no way in hell that I'd dish away any one of our centers.

Pominville, while he MAY be tradable, would have to yield a big return, and be packaged with a defenseman or a draft pick.

Personally, I think people are crazy to think Pominville is any part of this team's problems right now.

You're all complaining about not scoring enough. About not having a winger that can get the job done.

We have our big scoring winger. He was signed for 7 million per year! 7 MILLION!

You can't argue that he's tied for the lead in goals on the team. There's no way he should be tied with Stafford and MacArthur. They aren't getting paid what he is. But all of that is beside the point.

The point is, we know what Vanek is capable of. And he needs to be better. Period. End of story.

If Vanek starts consistently producing, like he should for 7 million per, then our scoring problems are solved.

End... of... story.[/quote]


This x 100000000000000000!!!!

My thoughts exactly! Yes, Vanek is likely being watched a little more now, but he's makin the big bucks. If one is to continue making them big bucks, you have to change things up. If what you used to do is not working anymore, or has become stale, change the formula and get a move on! He needs to become more hungry around the net, more greedy, shoot the damn puck and don't be afraid to get your nose dirty in front of the net. If he keeps his play up the way it's been going the last while, he'll be dusting off Max's old bed in Lindy's dog house. Last I checked, $7mil. is kind of a waste to be sitting in the press box.

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If it's a tight squeeze, spit on it! - NyI

He's a middling AHL player who had the good fortune of a drunk arbitrator. - The Squanto re: Tim Kennedy

All I know, is last night was a game where the Sabres were supposed to get beaten physically, offensively, defensively, and in the net. And ya know what, they held their own in the offense department and won all the other battles. Sure, they allowed a couple of odd-man rushes, but so did Calgary.

Was I the only one who saw Connolly turning the illustrious Bouwmeester and Phaneuf into pretzels by skating through them? What about Roy and Mac helping out Pattymouth, Mair, Goose, and Ellis in the hitting? And, with the exception of Vanek, good lord the backchecking - a number of would-be odd-man rushes against were quickly nullified by a Sabre who was backchecking like his life depended on it. When Miller gave up the rebound, minus the first goal, his boys were there to clear it out. Last night was good. fucking. hockey. A classic bout - a 1-1 heartstopper.

I thought last night was a test, and it was. The bigger test is if they can do it again tonight. I'm optimistic, and if they pull it off again tonight, I'll be sold.

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mechaphil

Well PSP, I didn't say Connolly had to be traded and you are correct, he is our most consistent guy right now. But his 2 yr contract combined with his age (28) may be the right mix to bring in a big, scoring center. I don't see any big centers in Portland, this would be the only way I would trade Connolly.

As for Pommers, he actually is a part of the problem. The team signed him to that fat contract based on his perfomance at the time. His last 3 seasons have been 66, 80, 68 points respectively. These are decent numbers, but his goal production has steadily decreased, 34, 27, 20 and this season he is on pace for another 20 goal season. For 5 million +? Come on now, he is tradable and could bring in a player that may elevate a LWer or Center's play, or an entire line. Risky? Yes.

I do agree with you he will have to be packaged. My point on the team isn't meant to intentionally offend anyone, as I always say for myself, its just an opinion based on the numbers, but once again, I don't endear myself to any one player, but to the team as a whole.

As for Vanek, Completely agree with your assesment. I think he is playing horribly, skating, stick handling, passing, positioning, its garbage for the amount of money he is getting paid, Hell, ist obsene. But PSP, your talkin to a guy that wanted the 4 1st round picks from Edmonton, when they offered the RFA deal for Vanek I was screaming for the Sabres to do it.

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

I remember you were a big advocate for letting Vanek go, and I applaud you for that. I can't even say that I was one of those people at that time.

My point with Pominville, is that he brings a lot more to the table than scoring, and it often goes overlooked by the fan base here.

Pominville still has the potential to score at that previous pace, and I wouldn't be surprised if he really got cranking this year.

He has a natural ability for scoring big goals... be it his first season against Ottawa, or last night in the shootout to give us the win.

He's a tremendous back checker, and he's made multiple plays all season long to break up odd man rushes and even sure goals.

That said, yes. He is tradable. But the return better be pretty significant. I'd personally have a very hard time dismantling the core group of players that we've dedicated our time and energy to... especially this early on.

A large part of the passion and effort we see out of this team stems from the fact that they're sick of losing. They're sick of being out of the playoffs. And if you trade a big piece of that away, you're gambling. Just mho!

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Wheelhouse

Agreed on all points you just made. When I thought about what moves could be made, I digress to people such as yourself who follow the talent pool in the NHL more closely then myself. Outside of the Sabres, I try to catch as many games as I can. But hey, I would love to trade for a player that really makes an impact, one that gets us that much more excited.

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

*Sniff Sniff!

You smell that?

Freshly baked consensus.

I love it.

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Wheelhouse

LOL, I know, I know, but man, if we can put together a duo half of the output or talent of a LaFontaine/Molginy pairing or hell PSP, I am old enough to remember the Connection back in the 70's. I am looking for that type of chemistry, without giving up to much. As I always say, just 1 or 2 pieces on the offensive side missing and I see this team making a real run at the cup, we are there defensively and our goaltender is fucking awsome.

This team reminds me of the Hasek days, great defensively, conservative on the offensive side. I remember how that turned out, a couple games shy of the cup. I am praying Darcy makes a smart, yet ballsy, gutsy, chancy move to bring in a guy that will light a line up with talent and bring peace to the Sabres universe

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

I don't think we really need another guy who can light the lamp up.

I think this team may have the pieces to go deep. I mean our team right now has one of the highest 5-on-5 goals scored/against ratio, it is almost a 1.5-1, which results in 3 goals per 2 scored against.

We also have three guys with over 10 points, and Connolly is so close to the PPG average with 15 points in 16 games. Roy has started to find the back of the net, and Pominville quietly puts up points on the board.

Connolly has 15 points, Roy has 13 points, and Pominville has 11.

And we have 3 guys with 5 goals, I mean it's not a great margin, but our scoring is so much more balanced this year, then previous years.

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Well, lets look at it from the opposite end of the spectrum.
No player on this team is going to achieve 30 goals or more. Only 3 players will achieve over 50 points and only 2 will achieve over 55 points for the season at the current pace. Furthermore, at the current pace, only 3 players are on pace to achieve 20 goals, the reminder are on pace for well below that level.

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.